¥024125 SHETLAND SAMARITANS SCIO Scottish Charity Number SC047536 TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 SHETLAND SAMARITAN,:
CONTENTS Trustees, Annual Report Financial Review Financial Statements 10 Independent Examinerfs report 11
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT For the year ended 31 March 2025 The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report together with the financial statements for the year to 31 March 2025. Referenco and Adminlstratlve Informatlon Charity Name Shetland Samaritsns SCIO Charity Number SC047536 Addres8 Curront Tru8tses
Structure. Governance and Management Constitutlon Shetland Samaritans is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (a SCIO). It was registered in its current fomi on 27 June 2017. The charity was previously an unincorporatsd organisation, 'Samantans of Shetland. (SC006913), but changed its18gal fomi to a SCIO. Appolntmont of Tru8tee• The charity's Trustees are the members of the Management Committee. They are elected on an annual basis by a majority vote of members present and entitled to vote at an Annual General Meeting of the members. Casual vacancies are filled by the committee, and Trustees thus appointed serve until the next AGM. Under the constitution of Shetland Samaritans, there should be a minimum of three and a maximum of thirteen Trustees. Objectlves- why our charlty18 needed and who we help The charitable purposes and objectives of Shetland Samaritans are: To enable people in Shetland and elsewhere in the UK who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, induding those who may be at risk of suicide, to receive confidential emotional support at any time of the day or night to improve their emotional health and to reduce the incidence of suicide; To promote a better understanding in society of suicide, suicidal behaviour, and the value of expressing feelings which may otherwise lead to suicide or impaired emotional health; To collaborate with and support Samaritans Central Charity and its affiliated branches in fulfilling these objectives. Introduction in central Lerwick is a purpose-built centre from which Shetland amaritans SCIO provides a telephone service to people in distress or despair. Shetland Samaritans co-operate with their colleagues across the UK in working towards a society where fewer people die by suicide. We also participate in awareness-raising activities at various events in Shetland and deliver workshops to secondary school pupils. Nationwide, Samaritans deliver the service from over 200 local branches and in addition to volunteering in local branches, Samaritans have now intrOdUd hubs. One hub concentrates on running our email service and volunteeryJ can opt to do this from home with support online. Others answer telephones and deliver our online chat Servi and ensure quality of the service is maintained and safeguarding protocols are working. The aim is to redu the number of unanswered calls created by the high demand for our servi. There is an intense demand for Samaritans with callers facing pressures from everyday life including poor mental health, isolation,
financial, health and relationship issues. Our Listening Volunteers contribute to the 2417 charity, to be there to offer a safe space to talk and to be heard. We are keen to hear from people who are interested in becoming Listening Volunteers with the Shetland branch to enable us to make a greater contribution to the service. Volunteers On 21 January 2025 Director but has now our director of four years, stood down as the Shetland en on the role of Samaritans Regional Director for the whole of Scotland. We are extremely grateful for the amazing and dedicated commitment she has given our branch during those four years and wish her well in her new role. She continues as a Listening Volunteer in Shetland. Shetland Samaritans were unable to recruit a new director from its current membership, but are delighted that has become our interim director until a local director can be appointed. lIS a Listening Volunteer and member of the Invemess branch of Samaritans. At the end of the financial year, we had ten full Listening Samaritan Volunteers and two probats'onary Samaritans. Our interim director,dOeS listsning shifts when she visits Shetland. Two Li8tsning Volunteers have left during the year, one moving south to work, and one after 26 years of service. Three volunteers completed their training and became full Samaritans. One volunteer, a founder member, completed 39.5 years as a Samaritsn in Shetland. We also have seven Support Volunteer8 who work in areas such as finan, technical matters and administration. All work done by Shetland Samaritans is on a voluntary basis and we are indebted for all the hours of work donated on top of personal and work lives. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) remains one of our guiding principles. We aim to recruit and support volunteers from across Shetland - from its diverse culture and age range. By encouragement and flexibility, we try to ensure that volunteers, experiences are positive and that they remain in the Shetland Branch for as long as they can. Outreach IT Outreach Our work is promoted via Shetland Samaritans Twitter and our URL page. These platforms connect with our community and have a reach beyond Shetland. Outreach at Events Book Giveaway i planned for 2025. on 18 January with three more of these events ea, home bakes and conversations were popular. A stand in Tesco's supermarket on World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September 2024 when seven volunteers staffed a table from 10.00 to 21.00 talking to people and giving
away bookmarks, leaflets, pencils etc. Although we We not askn.ng for donations to our funds, the generosity of people we spoke to was heartening. A presence at Shetland Pride March in Lerwick on 15 June 2024. Three volunteers took part. We had a very busy stand at the Cunningsburgh Show on 7 August 2024. Several volunteers talked to people of all ages attending the show and gave out information on what we do. Outr8ach in EduGatn In Shetland Samaritans, five volunteers have been trained to present the Emotional Health Presentation to S21S3 level pupi18 across the islands. There are currently twelve S3 classes to be presented to in all schools across Shetland. This year (2025), we have presented to five classes (roughly 63 pupils), and will present to a further six by the summer. The one class that we will miss in this academic year is a class to whom we presented to last year in the Aith School. We aim to present to the next class of S3 pupils in Aith in the new academic year 2025-2026. Ch e enough volunteers to visit all the schools comes with being a small branch. have been two of our busiest volunteers with school visits. so we are very grateful to them for the time they have put in to make a lot of the visits happen.
has been the education lead for organising these visits. She has also helped to organise a meeting for Brae pupils to come and meet with Samaritans volunteers in the branch. This year, pupil met with them. The four sen amaritans as their charity for the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) project at school. This includes the pupils researching, organising, working together then presenting to a panel of people and audience of their peers why their charity should be awarded the £3,000 available from the Wood foundation and YPI charity. It is an excellent competition that will not only raise awareness for our charity, but will give the pupils Chan to hear first-hand the work that we do for people every day. At each school event we hand out Samaritan resources such as pencils, bookmarks and small leaflets that include tips on effects've listening. A young person {16 years old) died suddenly in September 2024, not long after the new term started. This young person was a pupil at the Anderson, soeached out to remind the school that Samaritans are here if there is anything we can do to support them. Tralnlng New volunteers The ered this session started in November It was decided that all the sessions would be held face to face. There were Ive potential volunteers. Due to prior commitments by two of the trainees, some reorganisation of the dates needed to be changed, it was decided as we approached Christmas. that it would be best to split the training and have the remaining sessions for the absent trainees in the New Year. At this time, one trainee decided to withdraw from the training due to personal reasons. We continued with the two trainees, and they completed the training early in the New Year. They are currently doing shifts while being mentored and we are delighted that they are getting on very well. It was then that we were infonned that, unfortunately, due to the protracted training of the remaining bNO volunteers, we were sadly unable to continue with their training. We have contscted them and both are interested in continuing their training. has decided to hang up her hat as a trainer after sixteen years in the role. She is sad to leave role she enjoyed very much. However, due to personal reasons, it is the right decision for her and her family and not one she has made lightly.
For the immediats future, training of Shetland Samaritans will be done online via the Samaritan Training School which provides high quality training and is an invaluable resour for small branches. Support from the branch will be provided alongside this online training. cuant volunt88 Samaritans undertake continuous training which is delivered digitally or fa to face. This year we have all taken an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion course (EDI) which helped us understand what EDI means and how it relates to our mission and vision. We have a comprehensive range of other digital learning matsrials which we can study at any time. We have also had a face-to-face session on Outreach and how we can provide emotional support to people when we are working outside our branch. Impact of Shetland Samaritans Between 1st April 2024 and 31 st March 2025 our Listsning Volunteers responded to 1526 phon8 calls and made 12 follow up calls. Students and staff in Shetland secondary schools learned about Samaritans and heard how tslking can help support emotional health and develop resilience. However, the full impact of Shetland Samaritans on people's lives is impossible to quantify by figures alone. Recent letters and comments from our service users, and donations from our supporters give us ongoing backing for our work. Feedback from schools on the preventative nature of our work amongst young people is encouraging. By raising awareness of Samaritans, our local charity continues. with others. to promote the importance of talking for wellbeing and mental health in the islands. Our local branch, which also includes seven Support Volunteers, 18 part of the national organisation of over 200 branches and hub8 consi8ting of 23,000 volunteers. IT 8UPPOrt During this last year the major changes for the branch were the replacement of the listening centre to a fully digital (Voice Over Internet Protocol) VOIP solution which means we no longer use phone handsets - This transition seemed to go very smoothly considering the changes applied across every branch in the UK. Locally here in Lerwick branch our experience has been positive with better call quality and fewer dropouts. The other major change made was in computer hardware. We switched from Windows computers to Google Chromebooks which brings us in line with most other branches. Technically this change gives us less control of how we setup and maintain the devices. Most issues will now need to go to the Central Office helpdesk, but will also save us money on software licensing (Microsoft Windows, Norton Security and Backup software). Feedback from Listening Volunteers has been also been very positive re these devices.
Maintenance of LRH We are indebted to for installing emer for installing four interconnected smoke alarms in as well as PAT testing all our electrical equipmen emergency pull cord in the toilet. No major work was required this year, but as in previous years, weeding was done in summer 24 on our land at the back of As well as maintsining our site, this is appreciated by our neighbours. The Health and Safety of our volunteers and people who come into is of paramount importance and is the responsibility of us all. However, volunteer invaluable help in terms o has continued to be an general and specific H&S advice and guidance. This is greatly appreciated. enc htin an Installing an 40 Year8 of shetland Samarltans On Saturday 25 May 1985 from 7.30 pm till 11.30 pm the first ever Samaritan duty was held in Shetland. We worked from the Old Gilbert Bain Hospital, King Harald Street, Lerwick in the building now used by the undertakers. Shetland Islands Council Charitable Trust were very supportive of our work from the beginning. Our treasurer, was the accountant with LHD and she was an extremely capable person much admired by all in that profession. She died young but she made a difference to this community without fuss or fanfare. We owe her a debt of gratitude for the work she did for us at the time and because of the bequest she left. By naming our building that she will never be forgotten. We plan to celebrate 40 years of Shetland Samaritans on 6 September 2025. Connectlon8 and Recognltlon As a member of Shetland's Third Sector Forum, we are invited to the regular meetings at Market House and by Zoom to collaborate and share. This connection is very important and Voluntary Action Shetland are willing to help us. Likewise, we have supported initiatives where appropriate. Our links appear on the VAS webpage and they continue to advertise our volunteering opportunities throughout the year- emphasising these during Volunteers, Week.
Financial Review Shetland Samaritans SCIO, although affiliated to the national organisation, is responsible for raising its own operating funds. We are grateful to all who support us, especially in these times of raising costs. Volunteers come from all comer3 of mainland Shetland, and it is important that they are recompensed for their expenses to travel to the centre. We remain grateful for the Shetland Charitable Trust grant of £5,000, which goes a long way to covering this vital expenditure. Our local travel figure for 24125 was £4,435 and the remainder of the grant monies (£565) was set against our energy bills. We are indebted to our ragular donors for supporting our work. We have also received donations from the public at our Outreach work in Tesco store and our openlbook giveaway days. SIC staff continue to support us. This year they held a quiz night and raised £278.75 for our funds. We thankllwl and friends for sponsored walks which raised awareness as well as £130. Delting Boating Club had a raffle on their whist night which raised £173. We had a raffle at Cunningsburgh Show with proceeds of £167.71 being raised. It is encouraging to see bank interest returns and increased Gift Aid. Our Sundry expenses cover costs incurred by our regional director and Interim director's visits to the isles. We raised awareness of our work by advertising on our local radio station SIBC as well as advertising in the local press. This also invited people to volunteer with us. Relatsd Party Transactions Shetland Samaritans SCIO have an insurance policy which includes indemnity insurance for all its Trustee8. Travel expenses totalling £1,878.40 were paid to 5 trustees (23124 2 trustees received £1,352.10). No other remuneration was paid to the trustees or any connected persons during the year. Reserve8 We hold unrestricted reserves of £18 002. Shgtland Samaritans is responsible fcir the upkeep of their premises. The reserves the charity holds are necessary to continue its activitles should other sources of funding not be available. We also strive to set aside £12,000 for building costs Approved by the Trustees on (date) Signed on behalf of the Trustees
SHETLAND SAMARJTANS SCIO Scoulth Charfty Numbgr SC047536 and Pa mentsfrom 1 Unr8ictgd rll 24 to 31 March 202S restricted Total 24125 S.(.(Va Rgc•l Gfant8 Collecticms ol10n8 Fundraisin Raffle Reftu)d$ {cOnkne experw8) Rthnds Iscottlsh R chIlle8 Tr8nsfer¥ In Sale of Christmas carrJ8 Glft Ad Bank Interest Sund recelpls Totsi Tocblpts 2023124 2.082.00 548.00 163.00 2837 1627 548 iea 418.00 187.CQ 100.00 418 187 10J 117 174 10.948 ExndItur• Raffle8 VolLmteer tra ex Electricl Insurance Adrtl81 Brah I al Fees Total Ch•rltabl• Ex 817 817 31 251 2225 ndllur• 4470 11,472 Office 8UPFlle3 Confwence exp8n888 Confrrence ths Repairs and malntenarKa SuThl Publlcll Trnlnl Total Admln EK 281 917 940 17 917 28 0ndIr• 71 FThtral8ln n3es Ir4Je rKlent ex8mlner TrJn8tsr lo AlllarKe & Lelce8tor Total Ex ndlturn 15 15 126 6971 11971 Exces$ of rncel ment8 oier recel 44n netl of Iranskn 4473 -1,421 Slatem•nt ol Balance• o1rVj b4larth at 18t A rf12024 Unfv*rfctsd Total 21h75 -3d73 14002 22890 -1421.00 2147 Total Bank of Scot1 balance at 31 March 2025 SantarKler Tola 1363.96 10648.08 18,(¥1104 3013.41 18461.37 21.47& Olh•r a•gts SNland Samwitarn SCIO Ihe in vthich th8y operate IMildlr¥J ha8 recally beon £14(KA) Stl8j saMarft no other a88ets or Uab-lrties 10
Independent Examinerfs Report
R•port to th•
Independent examlnefs rnport on the accounts
Shetland Samaritans SCIO
8C0476a8
Rffjhtsr•d charfty
numb•r
On th• a¢counl• ol ti
ehorfty for th• p•rfod
Month
Y•ar
Porlod ond date
01
2024
31
2025
gtofo
Y••pon•lbllitie• of with the temis ( the Charit168 8nd Tru8tg8 InStment (Scollandl 2(X)5 Ad and (he
tru•tso• and •xmi
Charrtios PKcom {Sthr) Regulatrons 2£ (as amknd). The thrity tru3tae8
cfjn8idw tho aLKlit requirn•nl of Regulatk)n 10(1} {d) of lh8 Accounts Ragulatlong
doe• not opply. It18 my reap•bIlItY to examltx the accwits as r8qur8(l urKJer ¥Ilon
44{1) (c) of thg Act to 8tate Wiwlor mattern lve com• to my oltentth.
8•118 ol IndOp•ndl My exami1'on 18 (xried (wjt kn accordance with Regulation 1101 tIKg 20( R8gulaticn•,
•xMkn• An examlnatlon IrrlLKlo8 a revlew oftho acclIrJ rocord8 keo by the chwity a
ca)mparison of the tYa8enlad with tPKJ88 reiYJrd8. It 8180 clud08 (ThJ8thrall(
any unu1 item8 or diBcIo8ure8 kn th8 acAwts and explanations frum tha
trust808 ¢c¢0Mlng any 8uth matters. The wocodurg8 undortakon do rnt provlde all the
o¥ldenca th& re(Wir8d In an audit arKI, (Ths8(Wttty, l (b not expre88 an Hudil
opinion on a¢ts.
Ind•p•nd•nt •xwnln•f• In Ihg ciw• of my •xamlnatkn, rK+ mfitter has ojne to my attOrt
l. vthich give8 rne rMJonabkn u8 to bellev• thaf in any materknl re8ffj ihe
requiram•nt8.'
to keep reconth In 4CC<Tdance wth *tIon 4q1) (4) ¢X lh• 2CQ5 Act
Regulati 4 ofts 21Th Aco)unts RegulatitTh
to prnpare aoxunl8 whith 8(xora wlth the a¢c